Double-manual harpsichord

Robert Falkener

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Instrument

Harpsichord/Harpsichords/Keyboard/Musical Instrument ; Harpsichord

Instrument Family

Keyboard

Maker

Robert Falkener

Place Made

London ; Europe ; England ; United Kingdom

Date Made

1773

Description

Technical description: Double-manual harpsichord. Compass 60 notes F₁,G₁ - F₆ [FF,GG - f''']. Three sets of strings, 2 × 8-ft, 1 × 4-ft. Lute (proximal 8-ft), Buff (distal 8-ft). The machine stop uses two pedals as an alternative to handstops. Rose bears the initials "IK" for Jacob Kirckman. String lengths (plucking points): F₆ 143 (63), C₆ 182 (67), F₅ 263 (77), C₅ 350 (83), F₄ 521 (96), C₄ 693 (107), F₃ 980 (125), C₃ 1184 (137), F₂ 1488 (156), C₂ 1684 (171), F₁ 1825 (189). Signature/Marks: Signature written in pen and ink on the name batten "Jacobus Kirkman Fecit Londini 1773" (false). in pencil under the soundboard "Robert Falkener London Fecit 1773 September". Decoration: Case is veneered in mahogany and crossbanded. Repair History: Machine stop added later. Restored by J.J.K. Rhodes and W.R. Thomas in 1953; later work by John Barnes; repair to keyboards, re-stringing and revoicing by John Raymond, 2004.

Notes

Sheila Barnes, 2007.

Measurements

2402.

Provenance

Probably owned by General John Reid (1721-1807) whose bequest to the University took effect in 1839. ; Reid Collection.